To think getting nails done all the time is a waste of money

[Unsurefriend1983]

Had my nails done 4 times in my life all for special occasions. Just had them done for my wedding. I always have to have them taken off though after 2 weeks as I can't stand my nails being long. I think for a special occasion its ok getting gel nails but at 25 quid a pop isn't it a waste of money to have them done all the time? The nail people in the shop seemed to think I was bonkers for wanting them taken off and nothing new done. I was so happy to get home chop them file them and put a clear polish on. Most women would be sad to not have posh nails but I was happy to have my short nails back. Only had them done for my wedding so I wouldn't have to worry about chipping. With the cost of living is it justified to spend this amount of money every 2 weeks. I know we have to treat ourselves but I think there's better things to spend money on.

The OP talks about disliking long nails from a professional manicure.

I have never had my nails done and not because I can't afford it. It's because I prefer the short clipped unvarnished look. I do think perhaps it makes me look like I am a nurse but I don't care.

However I spend a lot of money going to the West End. Surely it's a matter of personal choice.

Horses for courses but for what it's worth I agree with you. I find that whatever the quality of product, my nails are always ruined and take ages to recover. I also have naturally long and strong nails so they look good without intervention.

I also can think of much better things to spend my money on. £25 every 4 weeks can pay for an annual city break, for example!

I don't judge others for enjoying having theirs done though.

But the question is about whether getting your nails done is a waste of money, not about whether long 'talons' are nice to look at.

Some posters are assuming that 'getting your nails done' means long, fake nails.

It's a waste of money if it's not important to you. It's not a waste of money for someone who really enjoys having their nails done.

You do know everyone is different, don't you?

It is entirely up to the individual what they spend their own money on, but I do personally think it is a pointless expense because they don't look objectively 'better' than decent condition plain or self-painted nails which are much cheaper alternatives.

I think like in all recessions the fashion will change to align with people's budgets.

I have my nails done. Every 2-3weeks
They are not hugely.long but long by some people's standards
(Will attach picture)

I bit my nails until my late 30s. I hated how my nails looked. I hated how they felt. I hated how the sides would be infected. My grandma died and before I went to her funeral I went to a saloon who put on fake nails and gel. And suddenly my nails looked beautiful. That's 15 years ago. 6 of those I was due to my work not allowed to have nail vanish on. I have stopped biting them now.

However every time I look down and see my nails it sends a shiver of delight through me. It reminds me I beat the habit of biting them to infection
It reminds me I can look pretty it.reminds me I am strong.

So yes its worth every penny I spend.

Is it worth it for others.? I have no idea. That's none of my business. I know its money I consider well spent. So for me YABU

I do have my eyebrows done because I'm a wimp with the tweezers and the dye and I don't know anyone who could do them any cheaper
It's only every two months or more and the cost of two bottles of cheap wine!
Makes me feel better about my thin horrible
eyebrows

I agree with @Southwig22. I don't know if I have easily damaged nails or what but I always find my nails end up weak and damaged afterwards too, I have had them done once this year, for my daughters christening.. costing £35. That was September and my nails are still sensitive to touch in places and have obvious grooves where the nails were. Wish I hadn't bothered. They also took literally about 5 hours to soak them off. Who has the time to do that if they have kids!
I usually do like them done for Christmas and although I could afford to have them done in fairness I think I'll just paint them else I'm literally paying to have them damaged further.

Yes and no.

I don't get my nails done very often at all. But I just got them done and it made me feel 100 times better! Wet weather clock change dark nights. It was only a little thing but it's made me have a little lift in my spirits. So each to their own.

My natural nails did take a long time to recover after having false ones on once
I don't work for them or anything, but OPI products are good and a bottle lasts a while
It can build up your nails and mine are incredibly weak.

For gel polish, It's not about "looking" better than normal polish. If I paint mine, they take ages to dry (2 coats and a top coat) yet they're chipped within 2 days. Gel lasts 2 weeks and cures instantly under the lamp.

I have 2 issues with it

1 it’s environmentally unfriendly
2 it feels like all these new beauty treatments are a way to trap women (who are generally financially better off in terms of employment and being able to make decent money ) into spending their new found wealth on stuff rather than wealth building assets that allow them to have more choices and keep their independence.

I’m not a total killjoy I promise - we all need fun and frivolity and a bit of indulgence in our lives!! It’s just not what I would choose.

People like different things. I love having long nails that I don't have to paint, constantly chip etc and I feel glamourous. We all should do things that make us happy 😊 I do mine once a month.

Most women is a huge generalisation- most women I know don't have fake nails, or do much beyond keep them tidy unless for a special occasion.

But if its something someone likes to have it's no more of a waste of money than anything else - why bother paying for the gym when you can exercise outside for free? Why buy nice clothes when cheap ones will keep you just as warm? Why drink alcohol? Why have your hair cut if it'll just grow again? Etc etc!

What a weird thread.

I don't buy pineapple. Hate the taste. Can't remember the last time I had it.

Doesn't mean I'm confused as to why they sell them in shops.

I keep my nails relatively short but have gel colour done every three weeks. I used to bite my nails so it's nice to see them looking good and my cuticles grow quickly so good to keep them in check too. Each to their own OP. I'm sure there's things you spend money on that I don't.

This is coming off very much as im "not like other girls".

I've never had my nails done, I cut my own hair and don't wear make up. To me they're all very expensive and a waste of money. My mum however thinks the amount of holidays I go on is ridiculous and a terrible waste of money. If you don't like/enjoy/appreciate something it's always going to seem like a waste of money.

I also hate, hate, hate having long nails.

I met a lovely young girl on holiday this year so excited about going off to Uni , really chatty and friendly ,but her image was so important to her too : she was wearing a nice suit and make up / nails all fine etc around the pool! She looked great , but at that age I wouldn't have got dressed up to just sit poolside.
Insta ready I guess , made me glad we didn't have as much pressure in my day ( plus many things such as false nails, treatments were not that available either )

Well maybe for you OP, but not for me. I get my nails done every two weeks (sometimes three) as I'm a very bad nail biter and it's the only thing that stopped me. I don't want my two DDs seeing me bite my nails and it drives my DH up the wall, so it's not just 'getting my nails done' it benefits the whole family.

Obviously we wouldn't go without food to pay for it but while we can afford it it's something we invest in.

This is why I bought a kit and do my own now. Money saved and no awkward chats with the nail tech 😂 I avoid hairdressers for similar reasons (although don't cut my own hair, don't worry!)

I've tried trimming my own hair , but it is thick and I know I'd mess it up
The cost has increased two fold , so now its every couple of months and I do save up for it and stopped with the hi lights etc
Dying my own is much cheaper too.
I wished I could cut it myself.
I know many people who do and I don't blame them

Should you ever go back to wearing long acrylic nails, carry a stick with a bit of chewing gum on the end. It's perfect for picking up coins (and a nail that has come off!)

It's what I do.

Really . This has been a new problem for me since growing my nails long that I've thought about filing them down a bit.

I have quite long natural nails. Ok, not quite I buff them and occasionally paint them but they stay stronger, for nightly moisturising, without polish. Best tip from style and beauty here for growing nails was not to use your nails as tools. I never realised how much I did that.

I have really weak nails that split and flake and break a lot, so for me gels actually help to stop them being a mess. My hair is v greying now and I am regularly mistaken for DD’s grandmother, so I would love to do hair and nails regularly, as I feel dowdy and mousy. One day, I hope!